Frequently Asked Questions

Disposition

The coroner’s office is responsible for notifying the next of kin. The coroner is also ultimately responsible for the disposition of the decedent. The coroner will speak with you to determine your wishes for a funeral home. Many times, the coroner will contact the funeral home of the next of kin's choice for removal from the scene. The coroner currently contracts with a vendor who completes the removal, transportation, and storage of decedents when a funeral home is not known or further investigation is needed, requiring the decedent to be held. The coroner’s office does not permit viewing of decedents at the coroner’s office, and only in circumstances in which it is absolutely necessary does the coroner's office arrange for viewing the decedent for positive identification.

Property

The Coroner’s Office is responsible for any property or articles that a decedent may have on their person at the time of their death. The Coroner’s Office may take property to assist in determining the cause and manner of death. Unless the property is considered evidence, it will be released to the legal next of kin or a funeral home. The Coroner’s Office will maintain the decedent's property until it can be released to the next of kin or the funeral home.

Autopsy

Autopsies are a vital necessity in certain circumstances in which they can provide definitive answers in determining the cause and manner of death. Autopsies are required in the event of a criminal investigation and prosecution. Autopsies are not completed for every death that the coroner’s office investigates. The coroner has the ultimate decision on whether or not an autopsy is completed. The decedent's family does have the option to have a private autopsy completed at their expense in the case the coroner’s office does not complete one.

Autopsy and Toxicology Reports

Autopsy and toxicology reports may take up to 12 weeks from the time of death until the time of the completed report for the coroner’s office to receive. The legal next of kin may request a copy of the autopsy report through a written request.

Death Certificates

If the coroner’s office is completing the death certificate, the investigating coroner will complete it. If additional investigation is needed, a pending death certificate may be generated before a final certificate. The funeral home will provide the finalized death certificate and file it with the Pennsylvania Department of Vital Records.